Behavioral Science Unit – Part I


December 31, 2009

An overview of the history and responsibilities of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit which studies why criminals do what they do.


Audio Transcript

Mr. Schiff: Behavioral science. That’s what goes on in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, created in 1972. Dr. Greg Vecchi is the chief.

Dr. Vecchi: “At that time, the National Academy training was moved from Washington, D.C., to the newly built FBI Academy.”

Mr. Schiff: The National Academy trains police officers from around the world. Dr. Vecchi says his unit not only studies serial killers and the like, but offers a lot of training.

Dr. Vecchi: “Applied behavioral sciences; courses in cyberspace, crisis management; in futuristics, in death investigations, gangs, spirituality, stress management, and terrorism.”

Mr. Schiff: Dr. Vecchi says there are two things about criminals, including serial killers, that he and his staff try to study.

Dr. Vecchi: “We want to answer why do they do things and we want to understand how do they do things.”

Mr. Schiff: When you are on the Internet, hit www.fbi.gov and check out the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. I’m Neal Schiff of the Bureau and that’s what’s happening at the “FBI, This Week.”

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